Removing alcohol in vivo through esterification

Abstract

The present invention is pertaining to a method to chemically remove ethanol in the stomach before a significant amount of ethanol enters the blood stream. The key chemical reaction responsible for ethanol removal is esterification through a reaction between ethanol and acetic acid. Ethanol reacts with acetic acid to produce water and ethyl acetate, which is a harmless ester found in many food products. In theory, if an intoxicated individual consumes a molar quantity of vinegar similar to the amount of ethanol in the alcoholic beverage, much of the ethanol will be converted into harmless products. Low cost, practical methods for alcohol drinkers to orally take a sufficient amount of acetic components are invented. These methods include drinks containing a mixture of acetic acid and potassium hydroxide with an appropriate level of acidity.

1 . A process for in vivo esterification of ethanol, comprising the steps of
 (a) preparing a composition containing acetic acid and a base wherein the base partially neutralizes the acetic acid to a PH value of greater than 2.5; and   (b) administering the composition in vivo to reduce the amount of ethanol by turning a certain amount of ethanol into ester; and   (c) the reaction of esterification occurs mostly within stomach in an acetic environment and in the presence of stomach juice.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the base contains potassium hydroxide. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein the amount of potassium is less than 8 grams or 200% of FDA recommended daily dosage. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the base contains sodium hydroxide. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 4 , wherein the amount of sodium is less than 4.6 grams or 200% of FDA recommended daily dosage. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the base contains calcium hydroxide. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is in liquid form. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the composition contains food color, or food flavor, or other ingredients to make the composition more palatable to take orally. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is solidified with additional process and additives. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 5 , wherein the liquid is mixed with other ingredients to become a form of solid food or pill that can be taken in by mouth. 
     
     
         11 . A composition to be taken orally to reduce the amount of ethanol inside body
 (a) the composition contains at least 0.1 mole of acetic acid;   (b) the composition contains a base solution to increase the overall PH value above 2.5;   (c) the acetic acid in the composition can react with ethanol to form ester in vivo;   (d) the base in the composition contains ions of an alkali or alkaline earth metal.   
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the alkali metal is potassium. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the alkali metal is sodium. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the alkaline earth metal is calcium. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the alkaline earth metal is magnesium. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the composition is in liquid form. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the composition contains food color, or food flavor, or other ingredients to make the composition more palatable to take orally. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the composition is solidified with additional process and additives. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the liquid is mixed with other ingredients to become a form of solid food or pill that can be taken orally. 
     
     
         20 . A composition to be taken orally to reduce the amount of ethanol inside body
 (a) the composition contains at least 0.1 mole of organic acid;   (b) the composition contains a base solution to increase the overall PH value above 2.5;   (c) the composition can react with ethanol to form ester in vivo;   (d) the base in the composition contains ions of an alkali or alkaline earth metal.   
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein the organic acid is citric acid. 
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein the alkali metal is potassium. 
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein the alkali metal is sodium. 
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein the alkaline earth metal is calcium. 
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein the alkaline earth metal is magnesium. 
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein the composition is in liquid form. 
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein the composition contains food color, or food flavor, or other ingredients to make the composition more palatable to take by mouth. 
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein the composition is solidified with additional process and additives. 
     
     
         29 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein the liquid is mixed with other ingredients to become a form of solid food or pill that can be taken orally.